|
Post by skalpadda on Mar 2, 2024 11:06:41 GMT
After having a SpLD assessment last year and being diagnosed with dyslexia, I was recommended a Kindle to help. My reading habit has improved vastly and I just reached a reading milestone which I am personally very pleased about. That's awesome n0mis ! And more consistency than I've managed despite thinking I should be less haphazard about reading for years. edit: Hello new page, added quote.
|
|
MolarAm🔵
Full Member
Bad at games
Posts: 6,069
Member is Online
|
Post by MolarAm🔵 on Mar 2, 2024 11:21:55 GMT
I'm currently reading Lady Joker, which is a long and extremely detailed account of a (fictional) kidnapping plot of a corporate executive in Japan.
It took a while to get into it, because it's very thorough in introducing you to the main POV characters. But once it hooked me, it really hooked me. It covers absolutely every angle, from the detailed planning of the kidnappers, to the police investigation, the media response, the corporates doing damage control, all of that. It's really interesting!
|
|
mikeck
Junior Member
Posts: 1,647
Member is Online
|
Post by mikeck on Mar 2, 2024 12:59:14 GMT
I saw that and the second volume the other day and was definitely intrigued. You make it sound worth a shot.
|
|
Rich
Junior Member
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by Rich on Mar 9, 2024 19:07:13 GMT
Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (Audiobook)
This was a lot of fun. The main character Carl is forced into a real life dungeon crawl style game after aliens destroy the earth. Think Running Man meets WoW. It's ridiculous and very funny, whilst still managing to be quite dark and serious when it needs to be. Jeff Hayes' narration is superb really bringing the characters to life with a such a wide range of voices, you'd think there were others alongside him.
The only slight criticism is that there's not really a story arc in this book, as it's mostly about establishing the characters, setting up the world and future events. I'll definitely be reading (listening to) the rest though.
9/10
I fancy some sci-fi next. Looking at Tchaikovsky's Shards of Earth or Banks' Culture series. Anyone have thoughts or recommendations?
|
|
|
Post by skalpadda on Mar 9, 2024 20:10:02 GMT
I haven't read Tchaikovsky (have a few on my future reading list) so can't comment on those, but the Culture series are some of my favourite books ever. Would recommend them if you like the idea of huge sci-fi concepts and an insanely advanced utopian civilization that can't keep it's nose out of other people's business. And godlike spaceships hatching plots and being very snarky.
The most common recommendation I've seen is to start with The Player of Games, Use of Weapons or Excession. All the books are standalone, so you could technically jump in wherever. They do move forward in time though (over thousands of years through the whole series), and there are a few characters that turn up in multiple books, earlier events and concepts are occasionally referenced. Not a big deal, but maybe don't start too far in.
Consider Phlebas is good too, so you could start at the beginning if you like. The setting and the Culture aren't fully developed in that one and the style is slightly different, but I enjoyed it as a space opera action romp. It takes place during a war that's a defining moment for the Culture, though it's mostly in the background.
|
|
Rich
Junior Member
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by Rich on Mar 9, 2024 20:21:07 GMT
Thanks! I was edging towards Culture as though I've read a lot of Tchaikovsky, I find he can be either really good (Cage of Souls, Children of Time) or really bad (Children of Ruin, City of Lost Chances (which I couldn't finish)).
|
|
|
Post by AccidentProne on Mar 10, 2024 8:40:39 GMT
Shards of Earth is pretty good, I've liked most of Tchaikovsky's, even Children of Ruin. Not read City of Lost Chances though.
However, if you've never read any of the Culture books, that's definitely a better bet. I started with Excession, which is a great book but took a while to get up to speed with some of the concepts. I think Consider Phlebas is a better starting point. After Excession I went back to the beginning and read through them in order, though as Skalpada says, they're all standalone so I don't think it matters too much.
Another sci-fi favourite of mine is Alastair Reynolds. Not quite up there with Banks' Culture books, but what is?
|
|
|
Post by skalpadda on Mar 10, 2024 9:17:40 GMT
The only one I'd say definitely don't start with is Inversions. It's a "stealth" Culture novel that relies on knowing a bit about the setting to get the full context of what's going on in the background. You'd get a full story, but probably be left wondering what it has to do with the Culture, or even sci-fi at all.
Excession is probably my favourite, because I can't get enough of Minds arguing with each other. If you're not as excited by reading chat logs between hyperintelligent spaceships I can imagine it feels a bit slow at the start.
Look to Windward might make a good starting point as well. The last three (Matter, Surface Detail and The Hydrogen Sonata) I'd save until I'd read at least one or two of the earlier ones. It's not necessary, but a little familiarity with the Culture and Special Circumstances doesn't hurt.
|
|
|
Post by larrybong on Mar 10, 2024 13:30:55 GMT
Excession and look to windward are my favourites. Might be a good idea to start with one of the earlier ones to get more background on the culture first though. Player of games or use of weapons might be good starting points I think.
|
|
|
Post by LockeTribal on Mar 10, 2024 14:02:43 GMT
Use of Weapons was my introduction to the series and it's still probably my favourite. It's such a varied series though, definitely something for everyone across the lot of them
|
|
nazo
Junior Member
Posts: 1,123
Member is Online
|
Post by nazo on Mar 15, 2024 12:58:01 GMT
Atonement - Ian McEwan
I remember reading one of McEwan's books while at university and not really enjoying it, to the disappointment of my more literary-minded girlfriend at the time. I thought I'd give this one a try and nope, don't like it either. It's all very clever (metafiction indeed) and nicely written, told with painstaking amounts of detail in every scene; I just found it rather dull and a slog to get through. I definitely prefer some narrative in my books.
3/5
|
|
|
Post by simple on Mar 15, 2024 19:06:41 GMT
Penance by Eliza Clark
The bulk of the book is the content of a true crime book that the protagonist has written about a murder committed by some teenagers in a northern seaside town. Its really good and the voices all ring true. Its also very impressive how it shifts your sympathies between the killers and victim as it explores the various issues that effect teenage friendship groups.
That this is Eliza Clark’s second novel, and that its this good, and that she’s still in her mid-20s is really something.
I can easily imagine it being adapted by the BBC considering the line it skirts in being adult fiction about young adults.
|
|
mikeck
Junior Member
Posts: 1,647
Member is Online
|
Post by mikeck on Mar 15, 2024 22:07:33 GMT
I've been meaning to read both Eliza Clark's books, still not got round to picking them up but definitely will.
|
|
|
Post by simple on Mar 18, 2024 12:35:54 GMT
I've been meaning to read both Eliza Clark's books, still not got round to picking them up but definitely will. I’ve only read this one but my wife says both are great
|
|
n0mis
New Member
Posts: 60
|
Post by n0mis on Mar 18, 2024 20:51:39 GMT
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa Takako moves into the flat above her uncle's used bookstore in Tokyo. Start working in the secondhand shop, with its eccentric customers. Allowing her to rediscover the joy of reading and form a bond with her uncle A heartwarming story about healing, and the joy of reading. Highly recommend this.
Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth by Andrew Smith Wonderfully rich and insightful interviews with the remaining Apollo astronauts.
Politics On the Edge by Rory Stewart Surprisingly good read, going over his life and political experiences in the Tory party and his launch for leadership.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells The first part of the Murderbot series. All about a security cyborg who dislikes its job and prefers to watch soap operas. Looking forward to the TV adaptation featuring Alexander Skarsgård
Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley Using previously unseen letters and papers, Worsley examines how Christie was adventurous, modern, and a very shrewd businesswoman, contradicting her persona as a retiring housewife. Have always enjoyed Worsley's books and this is well worth reading.
|
|
mikeck
Junior Member
Posts: 1,647
Member is Online
|
Post by mikeck on Mar 19, 2024 9:27:33 GMT
I did see Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and thought it sounded good. Another book to the list then I've also stopped referring to my pile of books as one of shame, rather I am curating a collection to suit all moods, makes me feel much better about my constant splurging on books.
|
|
otto
New Member
Posts: 417
|
Post by otto on Mar 19, 2024 16:39:51 GMT
Embrace your inner tsundokist
|
|
MolarAm🔵
Full Member
Bad at games
Posts: 6,069
Member is Online
|
Post by MolarAm🔵 on Apr 7, 2024 10:42:52 GMT
Finally finished volume 2 of Lady Joker. It's a pretty big commitment, dense to an extent that you do need to put some work in to fully grasp everything (which I'm not sure I did tbh)
But it's a recommend if all the procedural detail doesn't put you off. Just be prepared to set aside some time for it.
|
|
MolarAm🔵
Full Member
Bad at games
Posts: 6,069
Member is Online
|
Post by MolarAm🔵 on Apr 8, 2024 13:45:46 GMT
The Final Curtain
A newly-translated thing from modern Japanese mystery man Keigo Higashino.
The mystery was crap, the drama was non-existent. He's trying to wring some pathos out of some of the conversations, but the characters are so thinly-sketched that it's difficult to give a shit. "Who cares" was my dominant thought after finishing it.
It's disappointing, really. I loved Devotion of Suspect X, but I think that was probably a fluke.
|
|
|
Post by drhickman1983 on Apr 13, 2024 18:34:38 GMT
Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
Eh. It's okay.
There's this hardboiled 1st person narrative thing, which is fine and initially engaging and there's some good world building and cyberpunk and transhuman concepts but it just get's a bit stodgy and directionless, and there just too many detailed references to how female character's breasts shift in their clothing to really take seriously - it just starts to feel a bit adolescent and horny.
The Netflix adaptation was better tbh (well, the 1st season anyway), as it allowed for different character viewpoints and a more interesting exploration of the themes.
I got the entire trilogy for Christmas 2023, I fucking hope the next book is better else I'll struggle to finish the series.
6/10
|
|
|
Post by simple on Apr 15, 2024 6:56:16 GMT
The KLF by John Higgs 10th Anniversary Edition
A sort of but very much not really history of the KLF and how they ended up burning a million pounds. Its roughly in chronological order but its told like an Adam Curtis documentary in the way it pulls together disparate threads like religion, conspiracy theory and other obscure influences. Its very good if probably weakest at its conclusion.
This anniversary edition is filled with footnotes where Higgs in 2033 looks back on what he wrote and chats about it and makes directors commentary comments on it all. They’re mostly quite funny but some of the longer ones do break up the rhythm of the original text a little too much.
|
|
Rich
Junior Member
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by Rich on Apr 16, 2024 14:31:19 GMT
Fall of Giants - Ken FollettLong historical fiction set during the first world war. The history side of things is fascinating. I'd never really studded the first world war with most of my knowledge coming from Blackadder (though I was fairly certain it didn't have anything to do with an ostrich,) and this book brilliantly describes the build up, nations moving in to place, the opportunities for peace and the petty squabbles that prevented it. The story is told from multiple families' points of view (with considerable suspension of disbelief required) bringing them all together at points and again does this quite well. The characters are fairly interesting each from very different backgrounds offering unique perspectives on the war. It's the first book of a trilogy set across the 20th century with the following parts being the second world war and the cold war. This is where the main criticism comes from unfortunately. Minor spoilers: The characters all have to survive so they and their children can be in the next book. Despite the period it's set in, nothing bad really happens to anyone. And where it does, they get over it very quickly, making the best of the situation. It's all too nice. Too clean. I'll probably still read the next parts though as it was entertaining. 7/10
|
|
wunty
Full Member
Pastry Forward
Posts: 5,083
|
Post by wunty on Apr 18, 2024 21:23:41 GMT
Utopia Avenue - David Mitchell
I was a bit unsure about this one. On one hand, it's David Mitchell, and I love his books. On the other, it's a fictional account of a rock band in the 60s... Not my kind of read normally.
Bloody hell I loved it. As usual there are links to his other works in there and in typical fashion it's not quite as straight forward a tale as you might think.
The ending, even though I guessed it would maybe come in some fashion, properly gutted me as well, and it was then I realised how attached I had got to the characters. I could have read this for years.
I shouldn't really have liked it, there's so much here that probably wouldn't stand up to critical scrutiny but who cares, I loved it.
10/10
|
|
askew
Full Member
Posts: 5,946
|
Post by askew on Apr 18, 2024 21:41:27 GMT
Cloud Atlas David Mitchell?
I was just thinking about the third in "The Book of Dust" trilogy. Wonder what Pullman's up to…
|
|
wunty
Full Member
Pastry Forward
Posts: 5,083
|
Post by wunty on Apr 19, 2024 8:15:22 GMT
Cloud Atlas David Mitchell? I was just thinking about the third in "The Book of Dust" trilogy. Wonder what Pullman's up to… Yeah that David Mitchell. I've just started number9dream as never read that one either and it really appeals. Will see how I get on.
|
|
|
Post by rawshark on Apr 19, 2024 23:56:00 GMT
I can’t stop listening to The Psychology of Elden Ring on Spotify.
It’s… so shit.
|
|
|
Post by dfunked on Apr 20, 2024 7:44:46 GMT
Neuromancer - William Gibson 7/10
It was obviously the inspiration for a ridiculous amount of content that I absolutely love, but I wasn't as keen on this as I expected to be. It just felt like a bit of a clunky read, and hasn't aged particularly gracefully (rasta stereotypes say hi!) Still a solid story overall, and I'll probably carry on and finish the rest of the sprawl trilogy, but it's not something I'm rushing to start straight after I put this one down.
|
|
MolarAm🔵
Full Member
Bad at games
Posts: 6,069
Member is Online
|
Post by MolarAm🔵 on Apr 20, 2024 7:53:31 GMT
I can’t stop listening to The Psychology of Elden Ring on Spotify. It’s… so shit. I know the bit about the Dung Eater is, but what about the rest of it?
|
|
Mark1412
Junior Member
Posts: 1,656
Member is Online
|
Post by Mark1412 on Apr 20, 2024 15:20:02 GMT
Not strictly reading but I listened to the Andy Serkis narrated version of the Fellowship of the Ring. Read it when I was 13 and not again since, and I was surprised by just how closely the films stuck to it down to so many of the exact lines at the most memorable moments. Being able to play the film in mind makes it enjoyable in a different way to the sheer amazement of reading it pre-film. Did have to skip all the songs, sorry Tolkien. It still holds up and Andy Serkis does an incredible job of bringing the cast to life. Film is better though.
|
|
otto
New Member
Posts: 417
|
Post by otto on Apr 23, 2024 6:46:50 GMT
Where's the downvote button?
|
|